The Shattered Afternoon
“Mommy, I’m hungry…”
Pretty’s small voice broke the silence of the vast Langford living room. She stood at the edge of the Persian rug, twisting her little fingers together, her dark curls falling into her eyes. Her sister, Beauty, sat on the floor, watching with wide eyes but saying nothing.
Across the room, Chloe sat on the cream sofa, her legs crossed elegantly, a glass of wine balanced in her hand though it was barely noon. She didn’t even glance up from her phone.
“You ate breakfast, didn’t you?” she said flatly.
“But that was hours ago,” Jamal piped up from the corner, his voice small but brave. He and Kamal had been trying to build a tower out of Legos, but both looked pale and hesitant. “We just want a sandwich. Please, Mommy.”
Chloe’s head snapped up,
